World Notes France

The body of Marthe Herve, a 79-year-old woman who lived alone on Paris' Rue du Rocher, was discovered last week by her cleaning woman. Three days later, Helene Fixeresse, 77, was also found murdered. These two women were the latest victims in a series of copycat killings that have haunted Paris since late 1984. In the past 21 months, at least 31 elderly women have been brutally % murdered in their apartments.

Nearly all the murders remain unsolved. Although four suspects have been arrested, police believe that at least one multiple killer is still at large. They have found his fingerprints at two of the murder scenes. An extra 200 police officers have been assigned to areas frequented by the elderly. In addition, the police have issued a list of safety recommendations to senior citizens. It may simply prove impossible, however, to guarantee the safety of the estimated 100,000 Parisian women over 75.